Hollister PD investigating auto parts burglary

HOLLISTER, Calif. (KION) - A Hollister business owner got an unpleasant surprise when a man broke into his auto store, stealing expensive equipment.

The suspect broke into Napa Auto Parts with a shopping cart and stole thousands of dollars worth of items.

Store owner Steve Huston said one suspect entered with a shopping cart around 2 in the morning.

"He just came up, hid behind a container, broke the window, came in and grabbed the stuff, and out the door he went. They got Dewalt power tools, batteries, Milwaukee power tools, batteries, right around five grand," said Stephen Huston, owner of Napa Auto Parts.

This is the first time Steohens Auto Store has been robbed in over 40 years.

"It really doesn't come as a shock. I'm surprised it hasn't happened earlier. Just the way the economy and society are going these days," said Huston.

With several surveillance cameras across the store, Stephen tells me all video of the incident is now part of an ongoing investigation, and can't be released at this time.

Within the last month, the Hollister police department posted on their social media the thefts in the city.

One on March 29th, where these two suspects stole from Target, and another the following week, where the two suspects on your screen stole over $600 from Boot Barn.

Despite recent thefts in the city, the Hollister police department says the number of thefts is down compared to last year.

"Currently, from the same time last year, we're down 26% on as far as thefts and burglaries," said Mathew Weiss, Sergeant with the Hollister Police Department.

Despite the trend, Stephen still has his guard up.

"It's part of being a store owner, I mean, it's gonna happen. It's just, you do your best to prevent it, but if they want in, they're gonna get in," said Huston.

Stephen says insurance will help pay for the damages and the items stolen.